Smile for the speed camera

Jayette Bolinski

Thursday

Mar 27, 2008 at 12:01 AMMar 27, 2008 at 11:43 AM

Motorists who speed through construction zones on Interstates 55 and 72 near Springfield could get a costly surprise in the mail. Beginning next week, the Illinois State Police will man a photo speed-enforcement van along the two highways, which will allow officers to photograph the faces and license plates of drivers who speed through construction zones when workers are present.

Motorists who speed through construction zones on Interstates 55 and 72 near Springfield could get a costly surprise in the mail.

Beginning next week, the Illinois State Police will man a photo speed-enforcement van along the two highways, which will allow officers to photograph the faces and license plates of drivers who speed through construction zones when workers are present.

“Year after year after year, we have many, many crashes within work zones throughout the state,” said Capt. Jim Wolf of District 9 state police in Springfield. “So this technology is to hopefully gain voluntary compliance, get people to slow down, keep themselves safe and protect those workers out there on the side of the road doing their jobs.”

The marked white van will be used between mileposts 90 and 98, east of Springfield, on I-55 and between mileposts 92 and 94, south of the city, on I-72. District 9 has four troopers who are trained to use the equipment, Wolf said.

The van uses photo radar technology, which records the speed of oncoming vehicles and captures clear images of drivers and license plates. Large lights on top of the van flash when a photograph is taken.

Troopers will review the tickets and compare the photos with those in the Illinois secretary of state driver’s-license database. If everything matches up, citations will be sent by certified mail to the drivers within 14 business days.

Signs will be placed in the areas where the photo enforcement van will be. The van also is equipped with a large digital sign on top that displays vehicles’ speeds as they approach.

The speed limit in Illinois highway construction zones is 45 mph or less.

First-time offenders can be fined $375. Subsequent offenders can be fined $1,000 and have their licenses suspended for 90 days. Motorists convicted of striking a construction worker face a $10,000 fine and up to 14 years in prison.

“We’re not trying to be sneaky here. We have plenty of signage posted … and this van is well marked,” Wolf said. “If you see the flash, we’re going to get your cash.”

Jayette Bolinski can be reached at jayette.bolinski@sj-r.com

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